Hi, first post here but I have found some information I think would help a number of people.
In my efforts to retrofit my standard dash in my 1996 Ranger, I obtained a working tachometer dash out of a 3rd gen, and while they are the exact same in form as the 2nd gen tachometer dashes, the wiring is not.
For example, the MIL (Multi-function indicator) or check engine light will not work. This is because of a wiring change from the 2nd gen (1993–1997) to the 3rd gen (1998-2000); in some states, this will fail inspection.
You can fix this by removing Pin 2 of Connector C3 (white, bottom) and placing it in Pin 9 of Connector C2. Pictures below detailing my removal and placement

Wiring tracing to C3 in Original dash

Wiring Tracing to C2 instead of C3 in new dash

Pin 2 of C3 connector

Empty Pin9 of connector C2

Removal of Pin 2 in connector C3

Placement of check engine light pin to pin 9 of Connector C2